What do they really look for ....?

[ukaviator]

To all you knowledgeable guys and gals out there ...
Like other pilots out there, im looking to make the next step on the aviation ladder, but obviously want to make the 'right' step, and im in need of your advice.
Im CA in an aircraft over 20,000lbs flying freight 135. (not sure if that amounts to much but thought I should mention it anyways! ;o)

Im trying to get to the likes of UPS or SWA without having to take the regional job I could have done 2 years ago.
If I were to suck it up and go, would it be advantageous to try and get in the left seat of say a B1900 at Big Sky and build my 121 PIC immediately, or stay where I am flying the bigger aircraft under 135.
How important is this 121 time to the these companies? Would they rather see Jet 121 PIC, or does prop time suffice? Does applying with only 135 on your resume hurt your chances?

Thanks for your input.
UK

 

[PositiveRate]

I think there is entirely too much emphasis placed on 121 PIC.

With few exceptions, the secret is and always will be networking and who you know. Making a drastic change like moving to a direct entry captain slot at Big Sky seems pretty speculative unless you have someone on the inside saying do this and when you have "X" hours, I'll walk your stuff in and help you out.

It's my impression that far too many trade valuable years and quality of life in search of the 'right' logbook numbers and not nearly enough time seeking out and/or cultivating connections that will pay much greater dividends in the hiring process.

While you can't control what XYZ airline requires to apply, that doesn't mean you should make all sorts of drastic changes to get to those minimum qualifications...the brutal reality is that without a good dose of luck and an even bigger dose of help from connections, you may end up stuck in what was supposed to be a temporary means to an end and out $50 bucks for an application fee.

 

[Rerouted]

Positive Rate - That is the single best reply I've ever read on this site.
RR

 

[AA717driver]

uk--If you are flying the SD360 as Capt. right now, that is good enough, IMO. It's a turbine aircraft over #20,000 lbs. and it's not single pilot. Boxes or bodies--who cares what you haul? Keep getting turbine PIC and show that you aren't job hopping. TC

 

[instructordude]

uk--If you are flying the SD360 as Capt. right now, that is good enough, IMO. It's a turbine aircraft over #20,000 lbs. and it's not single pilot. Boxes or bodies--who cares what you haul? Keep getting turbine PIC and show that you aren't job hopping. TC

Disagree, only because it will lock you out of getting on with Airtran. They require 500 PIC 121. Airtran is not a door I would want to close.

 

[ERJpusher]

If you want to get on at SWA, the good news for you is that you don't need any internal connections. In fact, the People Department just implemented a new policy that doesn't allow for "walk-in" resumes. All of the interviewees must be generated from the online computer program. So, if you meet ALL of the minimum requirements, including the 1300 hours turbine PIC, your name will eventually be spit out for an interview call. I caution you that, unless you are military, total time for new hires is rarely less than 4000, and seems to be averaging around 7000 (I don't know if your profile is accurate or not). If you burn up an interview too early, it is taking some people 2-3 years to get a second interview, and they will expect that you have greatly improved your status in the meantime (i.e. type rating, check airman, etc.)

I have several friends at UPS, and the "good ol' boy" program seems to still be in full effect over there. I recently have a friend's stuff walked in by another new-hire, and my buddy was hired within a month.

You will need to really investigate where you want to go, and what that particular company is looking for. My best advice is to put yourself in the best possilble position you can when you go to the interview. You want the interview team to be able to check as many boxes as they can. Don't rush the process if you aren't fully prepared or competitively qualified. You don't want to waste a perfectly good opportunity.

Good luck!!

 

[ukaviator]

My best advice is to put yourself in the best possilble position you can when you go to the interview. You want the interview team to be able to check as many boxes as they can. Don't rush the process if you aren't fully prepared or competitively qualified. You don't want to waste a perfectly good opportunity.

Good luck!!

Thanks for all the helpful replies. ERJPusher, do you know if one of the 'check boxes' for SWA is previous 121 time?

Thanks

 

[PSL]

+ Rate and ERJPusher:

Each of them have excellent points. Making a change which can be reasonably interpreted as a lateral move will always cause the interview team and Decision Committee to start asking questions.

I was recently involved in one such circumstance where the applicant left a Regional as a Lance Captain (SWA Term) due to being bounced around because of main line downgrades. The interviewers called me after the applicant's face to face interviews because they were not convinced of the validity of such a move.

Because I was one of three signatures on the applicant's rec letters and the fact that I have more than a few years in the industry I was able to explain in greater detail the motivations for such a move, but it wasn't a slam dunk and I don't recommend the 'lateral path' unless financially necessary.

Skip to the end of the story ... the applicant was hired ... is going to Higher Power and should be in class by Spring.

Stay focused ... be the best 'whatever' you are at the time in what you fly, take care of your loved ones and always give 101% even in the face of obvious stupidity or unfairness.

It's been my experience SWA wants good people who they can train to be SWA B-737 pilots over hiring B-737 pilots who they have to train to be good people.

Good Luck ... hope to see you on the property.

 

[mokitty]

Thanks for all the helpful replies. ERJPusher, do you know if one of the 'check boxes' for SWA is previous 121 time?

Thanks

No 121 required.

 

[FO 4 Life]

The 500 121 PIC is not set in stone. I know people who have gone there in the last 2 months with zero 121 PIC. FWIW

 

[Green Banana]

intructordude,
That is about the most stupid video I have seen.
"Your the hang to my loose"???? Doo Bee Dooo
What the hell is that????

 

[AA717driver]

How do any military guys get hired with no 121 time? TC

 

[atlcrashpad]

Yo Yo Yo.... Bouyyyyy... Gets sum juan likes me ta walks yo stuff in and yo... uz in likes flint... Bouyyyyyyyyyy.....

 

[Murphy]

You know that's right.